Cuenca protesters demand reactivation of Aranjuez-Cuenca-Valencia railway

Protesters in Cuenca have scheduled their 179th demonstration to demand the reactivation of the Aranjuez-Cuenca-Valencia railway line. The protest is set for September 1, 2026, at 8:00 PM in front of the Church of San Esteban.

Organizers argue the railway is essential infrastructure for the towns of the lower serranía of Cuenca. They denounce the closure of the line by state, regional, provincial, and municipal institutions, claiming that road mobility was imposed instead of a quality public rail service.

The movement criticizes the ‘Protocolo XCuenca’ signed between the Junta de Castilla-La Mancha and the former president of ADIF, Isabel Pardo de Vera, who faces charges before the National Court including embezzlement and influence peddling. Protesters claim the protocol excluded local mayors from the decision-making process and accuse the regional government of withholding information regarding the priority status of Cuenca for Next-Generation EU recovery funds between 2022 and 2027.